BR apologizes for not answering Thomas' letter earlier and would welcome his signature on the appeal to Khrushchev.

Litvinoff sends Schoenman a personal letter from Israel with details of his vacation. He speaks of the pervasive impact of Israel on North Africans. He asks to be kept informed by cable on BR's appeal to Khrushchev and encloses an article which speaks about BR's lifelong work as a mathematician, philosopher and anti-war activist. The article is by A. Kissel and is summarized at length. It quotes a letter sent in reply by Russell to a letter from students at a school in Kuibishev.

The article is in Neva, Leningrad, no. 10 (Oct. 1963): 220. The original letter is at record 64249.

Schoenman updates Litvinoff on the appeal to Khrushchev. He had trouble getting the authorities to deliver it to Khrushchev. He encloses an item from the Israeli paper Yediot Aharonot, which says that Khrushchev has invited BR to speak with him after receipt of the appeal for Soviet Jews.

The enclosed newspaper item was sent by Aubrey Hodes.

Litvinoff provides the press statement that was originally to accompany release of BR's appeal to Khrushchev.

Attached is the press statement, TD and TD(CAR), 3 copies, documents .183429-.183435, and the mimeographed press release, .183436-.183437, dated 17 Feb. 1964.

Litvinoff explains the injustices committed against Soviet Jews in a broadcast by the European Service, the content of BR's appeal to Khrushchev.

The writer says that a recent message on Soviet Jewry sent by BR to the World Union of Jewish Students was read to a conference of the British section of the World Jewish Congress. It was released to the press as BR's note to delegates at the conference. BR would like to assert that he had no knowledge of the press release and the message was intended solely in support of the research pursuits of the students.

This article appeared in the Jewish Chronicle.  It summarizes BR's appeal to Khrushchev as an appeal to grant religious freedom to Russian Jewry. It includes a quotation from Schoenman on the state of BR's correspondence with Khrushchev.

The entire issue of the newspaper is present.

The article highlighted is "Russell's Letter Still Unanswered" in Jewish Observer and Middle East Review.

This is a statement by BR called "Message to Cuba Answers to Marta Rojas". BR mentions the brutal ways that the United States is attacking Vietnam.

In file are TL(CAR) copies, documents .177622-.177624.

Read wants to meet with Schoenman for advice before Read goes to Cuba.

Wood informs Read that Schoenman will be in touch with him after he returns from Cuba.

The organizing committee of La Organizacion Latinoamericana de Solidaridad invites Russell to a conference in Cuba.

The cryptic message concerns Ralph Schoenman.

The letter lists the members of the team and encloses a parcel from Molba.

The letter is unsigned but may be from Russell Stetler. It was addressed to "George" rather than "Jorge".

This is a statement declaring admiration of the work of the late Ernesto "Che" Guevara. It is unsigned.

This is a message that everyone should increase resistance to those who want to control the world from Washington.

OSPAAAL is the Organization of Solidarity of the Peoples of Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

This is a message that is to be delivered at the Havana Cultural Conference on behalf of BR and the BRPF.

BR sends 10 replies to questions asked by Cuban journalists.

Nathan thanks Schoenman for his recent letter. He inquires about an early opening of the BRPF in Beirut. Nathan asks for some copies of BR's appeal to the U.S.S.R. as only a few passages were published in The New York Times.

Schoenman sends Nathan the text of the appeal to Khrushchev. He also sends one which was recently released concerning the Middle East.

Also in file: another TL(CAR), document .183444.

The letter is enclosed with Bolaños's letter of the same date to Russell Stetler (record 72637). The present letter gives the BRPF permission to publish the speeches of Fidel Castro.

BR informs Born that the appeal on behalf of Soviet Jews received wide attention in Europe with the exception of Britain and Germany.

This is an interview done by Coates. It is about the objectives of the BRPF for Juvenind Rebelde, Havana.

In Spanish. On Vietnam.

Snow informs BR that he has pursued the matter of the Kiev book. He has found out that the book has been withdrawn from circulation and existing copies have been destroyed.

This is a press release on the O.L.A.S meeting. It mentions that there will be another meeting at the Mahatma Gandhi Hall on August 25, 1967.

Schoenman explains that he might have misjudged Baptista's determination. He is sending a copy of a letter from Garrison and would like Manolo to send him any information that might lead to assistance.

This is an article in the Jewish Observer and Middle East Review, Apr. 1964, p. 10.

Gobel invites BR as a delegate to the Cultural Congress of Havana. Gobel encloses an agenda of the Cultural Congress.

In file is the original TLS in Spanish, document .177642.

Larsen informs BR that he received his letter and would be very interested in meeting Litvinoff who will visit Oslo soon. He asks that he call him in order to agree about a meeting time.

Farley wants to know how much longer Tabata has to remain in London and if any news is heard from Havana about the identification of Che Guevara's body.

Stetler would like Bolaños to inform Havana Radio to use tape-recordings on Vietnam made by BR. Stetler would also like Bolaños to give a letter of authorization for the publication of the speeches of Castro.

Stetler encloses (not present) BR's answers to questions submitted by Granma, and has taken down a series of questions from Radio Havana as well.

Bolaños encloses a letter of permission to publish Castro's speeches. It is document .177646, record 72637.

On BRPF letterhead but marked "Copy". BR informs Gobel that he cannot make it to the Congress in Havana due to old age.

In file are 2 TL(CAR) copies, documents .177648 and .177649.

This article was translated by Patricia Howard from the Swedish in Nagens Nyheter, 14 Nov. 1967.

In file is draft copy, document .177651.

Grinan would like BR to send a message to the Cultural Congress in Havana. Grinan would also like to know the name of the delegate that BR is sending.

Farley informs Bolaños that he enjoyed their meeting and that he wishes to remain in contact.

Davis would like Lady Russell to get BR to help his brother and his family obtain an exit visa from Czechoslovakia.

Edith Russell informs Davis that BR has written to President Novotny asking him to give Davis's brother and his family exit visas to Begota.

Mayo is sending BR information about her friend in Czechoslovakia. If BR finds this case of interest, Mayo will send him some more details about her friend's situation. His name is Frantisek Klemens.

BR informs Mayo that he wants to take up the case of her friend in Czechoslovakia. BR would like Mayo to send him more information concerning this case.

Mayo is enclosing a brief history of her friend's career.

The enclosure is document .185170, by Frantisek Klemens.

BR has written to President Novotny to ask him to grant Klemens a visa to leave Czechoslovakia.

Bernard would like BR to contact Czech authorities to see if certain Czechoslovakia Social Democrats are still in prison. If they are still in prison, Bernard would like BR to help them get released.

In the file are biographies on the imprisoned Social Democrats, document .185173. They are Vladimir Goerner, Josef Veverka, Frantisek Coupek, and Vaclav Koubek.

BR informs Bernard that he will make contact with the Czech authorities about the situation described at record 72648.

BR has been informed by Czech authorities that Klemens has not requested to leave Czechoslovakia. If he does so request, he will be granted permission to leave. BR would like Mayo to tell Klemens to make a formal request.

The document is called "Background to Czechoslovakia". It provides an understanding of the general political and economic position and the way that the Czech government behaves in relation to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This statement also contains a list of authorities that are working for the release of Czechoslovak prisoners of conscience.

Litvinoff sends translations of letters in Russian. He says that he is still awaiting translations in Romanian and Czech.

Mayo is sending BR a letter (not present) that she received from F. Klemens.

The note thanks Schoenman for sending him BR's cable to Kosygin. He says that he will remunerate the BRPF for the cost. The cable expresses BR's humanitarian intervention on behalf of the Yiddish writer Yosif Borisovich Kerler. BR asks Kosygin to allow the Kerler family to join his sister-in-law in Israel.

BR would be delighted to assist Klemens to get to Britain.

Mayo writes from the Education Committee of the Staffordshire County Council. BR's reply is addressed to her at the Staffordshire Schools' Sailing Centre.

Mayo informs BR that Klemens has completed all the necessary formalities to leave Czechoslovakia and is now waiting for permission.

Enclosed is Klemens' letter to Mayo. It is document .185180.

Trhlik informs BR that Klemens has not applied for permission to leave since 1958. Klemens only made an enquiry on January 14, 1964.

Schoenman asks Mayo for her advice about Dr. Klemens.

In file is a TL(CAR) copy, document .185183.

BR is delighted to hear that the five Czechoslovakian Social Democrats have been released. See record 72468.

This is an analysis of Paul Henri Holbach's A Gallery of Saints. It was first published in 1770 with the Church as its target. The book has anti-Semitic undertones expressed by quotations of Moses' apparent teachings to the Israelites that caused them to be "hateful people blinded by superstition".

Mayo thanks BR for helping her friend, F. Klemens, leave Czechoslovakia.

Mayo encloses a letter from Klemens stating that he has permission to leave. The letter is document .185184b.

BR expresses his deep concern about the execution of Jews in the U.S.S.R. and the apparent encouragement of anti-Semitism. BR further states that he appeals to Khrushchev for amnesty on the grounds of mercy and the mutual interest of peaceful relations.

Schoenman would like Mayo to inform him of Klemens' current situation.

In file is a TL(CAR) copy, document .185186.

Litvinoff's draft for BR's cable to Kosygin requests his intercession on behalf of Yiddish writer Borisovich Kerler and his wife Anna Efimovna. Efimovna's sister sent Kerler an affidavit for family reunification in Israel. However, the passport granted to him by the Israeli Embassy in Moscow was suddenly withdrawn by the Soviet militia. BR asks Kosygin to allow Kerler to leave the USSR on humanitarian grounds.

BR informs Buber that he is writing immediately to Khrushchev on the humanitarian concerns that Buber raised with him.

[This (see record 72669) may have been the start of BR's campaign against Soviet anti-Semitism.]

Klemens describes to Mayo how beautiful Israel is and how he and his family are doing.

Mayo informs Schoenman that Klemens is in Jerusalem now and that he is doing fine. He is only in need of some financial help at this moment.

Enclosed is a letter from Klemens describing his state. It is document .185187.

BR is glad to hear about Klemens' release. BR is grateful for Mayo's contribution to the BRPF.

In file is a TL(CAR) copy, document .185190.

Buber pleads for Khrushchev to stop punishing those convicted of economic crimes with the death sentence. He says that the number of Jews on the list for the death sentence is staggering and out of proportion to the number of Soviet citizens who commit crimes and especially economic offences. He fears that anti-Semitism will be the byproduct of this and hopes that the case of Jacob Frankel will not be repeated.

Buber asks BR to write to Khrushchev in similar terms to the cable he quotes.

Klemens informs BR that he and his family are now living in Jerusalem. Klemens thanks BR for all his effort and help.

BR wishes Klemens success in Israel and is delighted to hear that he was able to leave Czechoslovakia.

In file is a TL(CAR) copy, document .185193.

Dmitrievna is surprised at BR's letter to Khrushchev on Feb. 2. He states that the Soviet Union is against national hate and that they are only against people who rob honest working men.

In file is the original version in Russian, ALS, 2 sheets, document .183491.

The letter is a critical response to BR's letter to Khrushchev in Pravda. The author states emotionally the reasons for her distaste of BR's allegation of anti-Semitism in the USSR. She says that anti-Semitism is an inherent contradiction of the ideals by which people live in the USSR. As a Tatar leader, she says her small nation is an autonomous republic in the Russian Federation and remains an equal member among the larger nations.

Attached is the original Russian letter, document .183457.

Pp. 4-7 are "Stop Extermination Theory", B&R C62.58. Pp. 1-3 are on the lessons of the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Seidler received a message from the police in Bratislava that he should send in his application once more in order to get his passport. As a result of this he is going on a hunger strike.

Stefka believes that with BR's influence, Seidler will be granted an exit visa. As a result, Stefka thanks BR for his intervention.

Seidler thanks BR for his help and support. It is because of him that Seidler and his wife may emigrate to Israel.

BR is glad to hear the news that Seidler and his wife have been granted passports. BR misaddresses the letter to "Vojlich Seidler".

In file is a TL(CAR) copy, document .185199.

Rerabek has not been granted a permit to leave Czechoslovakia although he has tried since 1964. He would like BR to direct attention to this situation.

Schoenman informs Rerabek that the BRPF will raise his situation with the Czech authorities.

This statement deals with issues that were discussed in the Tenth Congress of the Socialist International, and the rehabilitation of Czechoslovak Social Democrats. Labour's Call is the "Bulletin of the Socialist Union of Central-Eastern Europe".

Hloch hopes that the BRPF can assist him in his current situation. He would like to get permission to leave Czechoslovakia. He has tried on his own but has not succeeded.

Shainkman claims that he is disturbed about BR's appeal to Khrushchev. He says that his conclusions are erroneous and anti-Semitism does not exist in USSR. He goes on to say that citizens are punished by the law regardless of their nationality.

Shudarsky writes to BR against some of the claims made in the appeal to Khrushchev on anti-Semitism.

The newspaper clipping suggests that Khrushchev denied BR's allegations of anti-Semitism in Russia and called such allegations a "malicious calumny on the Soviet People". Zimmerman thanks BR for raising the issue, which was reported in the Wall Street Journal.

BR asks Khrushchev to eradicate the death sentence on humanitarian grounds as it is damaging to the reputation of the USSR. He includes the phrase: "There are many ways to skin a cat" to express his understanding of solving the problem of economic corruption and profiteering in the USSR.

Shloimovitz, a member of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, regards the response from Khrushchev very hard to believe. He testifies that there is pronounced anti-Semitism in the USSR and the Jews there are "controlled and muffled". Shloimovitz has written to the Soviet ambassador in London to confirm whether it would be possible for him to donate 4 tons of matzot for the traditional Jewish observation of Passover.

Shlyk, a worker and a simple citizen, expresses to BR his disagreement on how BR sees Jews are treated in the USSR. Shlyk views the appeal by BR as a sentimental reaction based on lies.

Also in file: documents .183470, .183471, .183472.

Zonshtein expresses his discomfort with BR's appeal to Khrushchev. He says that Soviet Jews like himself have had no problem taking advantage of the many opportunities afforded to them. He says also that the fact of many Jews being Lenin Prize winners should not go unnoticed. He says that Soviet law is blind to nationality and should not be called anti-Semitic.

Also in file: the original Russian letter, document .183474.

The writer is a former combatant in the Great Patriotic War who is now on disability pension. He writes to assert his view on BR's problematic appeal to Khrushchev. He says that the appeal is written with false facts about the state of Jews in Russia.

Also in file: documents .183476-.183477, handwritten and typed Russian originals; and a USSR postal notice, document .183478.

Three other signatures are added in support of the writer's view.

Glozman writes about the anti-Semitism allegations in BR's appeal as surprising, insulting and humiliating. She goes on to say that BR has defended rogues and swindlers, those who do not wish to work for their living and who gain riches by deceit.

Also in file: Russian original, document .183480, and envelope.

Rumashevskaia, a Soviet Jew, expresses the thoughts and hopes of "all honest people". She writes that on the threshold of Communism you do not bring home criminals, and those who cry anti-Semitism are criminals.

Also in file: Russian original, document .183482.

Hloch wants to emigrate to Australia from Czechoslovakia. He thanks Laird for passing his case to the BR Peace Foundation and hopes that they can help him.

Litvinoff thanks BR for the attention he has given to the Soviet Jews. He mentions that BR's exchange with Khrushchev was published in Pravda and Izvestia and broadcast on the Moscow Home Service. Litvinoff states that the fact that a dialogue exists on behalf of Soviet Jews from an international community has strengthened the morale of Jews in general.

Schoenman informs Hloch that the BRPF will bring up his case with the Czech authorities and will keep him informed of all developments.

BR expresses his thanks to Litvinoff and informs him of his successful pleading for several Hungarian and Romanian families seeking to join relatives in Canada and Israel.

Hloch thanks Schoenman for his letter and for understanding his position.

Willey forwards documents (not present) handed to him in a Leningrad subway. A Russian is in serious trouble with the authorities and needs help. He stands trial on August 20. See record 72810 for Litvinoff's forwarding of the letter to Schoenman.

Seidler thanks the BRPF for getting him his exit visa from Czech authorities last year. He also expresses his deepest respect for BR.

BR informs Zimmerman that he is concerned with matters of life and death when it comes to appealing the Soviet authorities. He does recognize, however, that the lack of matzoh in the Soviet Union is an in infringement on Jewish religious practice, and he is regretful that he is unable to help further.